Before I Became a Mother...

I had no idea how much of the day I would spend covered in spit-up.

I didn't know how much fun it could be to play with someone who can't even talk.

I couldn't imagine that the smallest things could be so important.

I didn't realize how much I would love him. 

The Irony of Motherhood

I pray for him to sleep a little bit longer everyday, so I can sleep a little bit longer. Today, he gets up at 6:30 to eat and goes back to sleep. It's 9:30 and he's still sleeping. Me, I'm worried. Sigh. 

Ian = Heifer

Today we went to the doctor's because Ian has been running a slight fever for a few days. While we were waiting for the doctor, I quickly slid him onto the scale and weighed him. He weighs 15lbs 4 oz. Yikes. It must be all those stuffed animals he's been eating lately. 

Notes About the World's Cutest (and possibly loudest) Baby

My child is large. Not fat, but very very long. He's swiftly outgrowing his 3-6 month clothes. He's getting a little long for the changing table on the pack and play. He's getting ready for size 3 diapers.

Ian is doing MUCH MUCH better (why am I writing this - haven't I learned yet???) with the napping. Still stuck on the 45 minute thing, but will take at least three naps in the crib during the day and usually a short catnap around 4:30 with minimal to no crying. Unfortunately, the increased sleeping has not improved his demeanor between 6:00 - bedtime.

He's getting good with his hands, and has succeed in getting many objects into his mouth. He seems to enjoy blankets quite a bit. He's trying to get his feet, but he hasn't succeeded on that task. Still no sign of rolling over, but he does enjoy sitting up and standing with support.

He loves his father. The little traitor, errr, I mean cutie, gets the biggest smile on his face when his father walks in the room. I guess he's the new toy and I'm the old worn out blanket, comforting, but just not as exciting. :) 

Why do I bother?

I am a freak of nature. I got sunburned THROUGH MY SHIRT. How is that even possible??? I also managed to get sunburn on one side of my face. I put sunscreen on. I should just never go outside. 

Mmmmmm. Monkey.

 

Finding Nemo - WTF?

Aunt Melissa decided Ian needed another stuffed animal, and won him this one at the dart ballon game. He played with it for quite some time. I guess he likes Nemo. 

Love

Ian loves his Aunt Melissa. She went with us on our adventure! Thanks Aunt Melissa. We had a great time.

P.S. Ian told me he appreciated the blanket you put on his legs. :) 

Merry-Go-Round

Ian took his first ride on the Merry-Go-Round today! 

Eating on the Boardwalk

Ian had his first trip to the boardwalk today! We had fun! 

Something's Wrong Here

I think Ian needs to grow a little more to sit in his high chair. :) 

Got Drool?

We do. We have copious amounts - on his shirt, on our shirts, stringing off the bottle when it comes out of his mouth... You get the picture. Ian is a drooling machine. 

Waaaaaa!!!!

Even when he cries he's cute. Except if you have to listen to it all day long. Then it's not so cute. 

Huh? What did I miss?

Ian's never on to miss a beat. Even when he's "sleeping" he has to check out what's going on around him. 

Feet.

Apparently, Ian is very interested in his feet. 

Could he look anymore like his father?

This isn't a great picture, but I am struck by the likeness to Rob. I think people who know us will agree. 

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Just when you think things are getting better, they aren't. For the past two days Ian has been back to his "crying for no apparent reason" spells. It sucks mostly because I can't figure out what's wrong with him. Is he hungry or is his stomach bothering him? Perhaps he's tired or maybe he's teething. Is he frustrated because he can't communicate or move around? Maybe he's getting sick. It's exhausting trying to figure it out. To top it off, I woke up this morning with a massive headache that I feel fairly certain is going to turn into a migraine. I haven't had a headache since I got pregnant. I was hoping all the hormones fixed my headache issues, but I fear that's not the case today. Hopefully we'll all make it through the day unscathed. :) 

Baby in a Bag

I tried to take a picture of Ian in his Peanut Shell Sling (which he really likes), but my arms are only so long. :) 

Happy Father's Day!

Ian was just a wee little guy in this picture (he's about 3 weeks old). This is my dad. Happy Father's Day! 

Then and Now

That's Ian's grandmom (my mom) holding him in the picutres. 

Three Months

Dear Ian,

On Wednesday you were three months old. I can't believe how quickly the time has passed. It seems like just yesterday that my water was breaking and I realized that you were coming. When you finally came after twenty six hours of labor and three hours of pushing, I couldn't believe it. There you were, perfect and adorable (and peeing on me, but that's another story).

As time as passed you've only gotten cuter. You're becoming a real little person. You have clear likes (Baby Einstein Gym) and dislikes (tummy time). You smile the biggest and greatest smile when you see me. In fact, you've taken to smiling at me so much lately that sometimes you forget to eat! I can't tell you how wonderful that makes me feel.

When you were born I loved you, as I knew I was supposed to, but as time passed that initial love has turned into something much deeper. While I long for a break from your constant needs, I ache to be with you, as if you are a part of me. As I sneak into your room every night to watch you sleep, my heart swells with pride and I wonder what kind of person you will grow up to be.

I love you Ian. I can't wait to watch you grow even more, and I am looking forward to the many exciting things to come.

Love,
Mom 

The Lip

It's so pathetic, but so cute. The drool adds a nice touch. 

Ian and Kelli

 

Ian's Many Names

Ian doesn't know his name, and it's no wonder, since that boy is called so many things:

I call him booger, or boogs (I know I'm mean), stinker, and Sponge Bob Cranky Pants.

My mother calls him Cheeky.

A woman at work calls him Julius since he was born on the Ides of March (very cute! wish I had thought of that!).

Perhaps he'll start responding to one of these very soon! 

Ian Update

Ian's developing quite a personality these days. He loves to mimic and in addition to the tounge trick, he also opens his mouth when you do. His grandmother can get him to make kissy faces, but I can't get him to do it. He's also starting using his eyebrows to make these funny faces. Sometimes he looks at you and I swear he is thinking, "What the f*ck!".

He's extremely interested in his hands and his feet. He has just started grabbing at things, but it's still kind of random.

He's slept though the night two night in a row and last night slept until 5:45 and went back to sleep until 8:30 (it was oh so very nice).

He seems to remeber things. He knows that the fish in his crib are supposed to swim and make music and he knows the star on his gym lights up. He looks at both of these objects as if he is willing them to do what they are supposed to do, and gets quite upset when they don't.

He loves to be outside. He can sit on the porch with me for a long time just staring at things. I'm getting quite good as Saduko (annoying number puzzle thing) because of this.

While he's still cranky at times, I find that he can be entertained, which is nice. He enjoys faces and songs.

Still no rolling over, and it doesn't look like it's happening any time soon.

I figure he weighs at least 14 pounds and is about 25 inches long now. Yikes. 

Cool Dude

Here's Ian in his shades. He's one cool dude. 

Ripley's Believe It or Not

Ian slept for 11.5 hours last night without eating. He went to bed at 7:15 and woke up at 6:45. Wow. Thanks Ian! Can we have a repeat performance tonight? Please?

Checking Out the View

Rob came up with this way for Ian to look out the window. As a side bonus, he gets to practice lifting his head, since he eschews tummy time.